Telephony.



M. L. JOHNSON.

TELEPHONY.

APPLICATION FILED APR-$1913.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

R TH .NO J L R o M WITNESSES ATTORNEY M. L. JOH'NSON.

TELEPHONY.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5.1913.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

In I

WITNESSES IN' ENTOR MORTON L. JOHNSON ATT @BNEY MIL.

MORTON I. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FRANK B. COOK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COBPQRATIDN OF, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONY.

Maseru.

Application filed April 5, 1913.

To all 207mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORTON L. JOHNSON, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Telephony, of which the followingis a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accomypanying drawings. forming a part of this specification.

lvly invention relates to telephone exchange systems of the class which employ prepayment or precharsf equipment whose employment is prerequisite to the establishment of com1ecti n;rs between calling and called stations or which employ bookkeep inn" systems by which calling subscribers are precharged for definite periods of service and the invention has for its general object the provision of an annoui'icer to warn the subscribers, preferably both the calling and called subscribers, that the prepaid or precharged period of time is ended and the provision of a cutoff device for severing the connection between calling and called subscribers at a suitable interval of grace after the announcer has furnished the warning.

The invention also contemplates means whereby either the operator or subscriber may reset the announcer and cutoff devices again to operate in the event of an enlargement of the pria-harp'ed or prepaid for period by a subscriber or operator.

l will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view outlining the features of the invention and I in's. 2 and 3. taken collectively with the lines at the lower right hand corner of Fig. 2 in alinemcnt with continuationsthereof at the left hand side of Fig. 3, illustrate the 1)]0'f01l04l embodiment of the invention in diagrammatic detail.

Like parts are indicated bysimilar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

Reference will first be made to Fig. 1 in which I have indicated two telephone stations 120 and 190 connected with spring jacks 1 at an exchange where link connectors 2 are employed for uniting the lines in conversation. As the invention is preferaoly embodied, a selector 8 is operated by called Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Serial No. 759,028.

subscribers when they remove their telephones from their switch hooks in response to the operation of their signal bells whereby a telephone repeater +l and a talking device 5 are associated with the link 2 that connects the calling and called subscribers. The talking device then impresses telephonic current upon the 'line joining the stations" whereby the called subscriber is asked the number of his line, the repeater 4 enabling the answer to this question to be telephonically impressed upon the line at the called station, the repeater permitting the telephonic cnrrent impressed at the called station to be conveyed to the telephone equipment at the calling station but preventing,-

for the time being, telephonic current impressed at the calling station from reaching the called station. \Vhen the number of the called line has been given by the called subscriber the calling party will note that it is in order for him to operate the precharge or prepayment device, and the operation of this device will complete the connection between the stations. The portion I of the equipment including the elements 3,

iand 53 is not essential in all embodiments oi the invention. but is usetul where prepayment or precharge equipment operated by calling subscribers is employed.

period termination has been reached and that they are shortly to be disconnected. A cutofi' device 7 is brought into play about a quarter of a minute after the termination of such period to sever the connection between the stations, providing such period has not been extended, it being usual to allow this quarter of a minute of grace. The operator is provided with a setting; (le -rice 8 whereby she may delay the operation the cutoff device 7 to any extent within the scope of nate contact for including the telephone re-- ceiver and transmitter in another bridgeof its associate telephone line, These telephone lines extend to the exchange where they terminate in jacks 1 which may be multiplied before various operators positions. illustrated station No. 120 is presumed to be the prepayment or precharge station and when such a station initiates a call a circuit is established which, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, may be traced rom a. grounded common battery 14, the line relay 15, the upper armature switch of the cutoff relay 16 and its narmally engaged contact, both sides of the calling line and the telephone bridge uniting the same, to the lower armature switch of the cutoff relay l6 and its normally engaged grounded contact. The relay 15 will attract its armature switch to close the line signal lamp 17. The operator, in response to this signal, will insert any plug 18 of a link connector 2 in the calling line jack 1, which may be the answering jack, appearing at her. position whereupon a c1rcuit is established that may betraced from the grounded common. battery 14, the relay 19, the heel of the answering plug 18, the thimble of the jack 1 engaging such heel,

the cutoff relay 16. to ground whereupon the armature switches of this cutoff relay are attracted to cut the line relay 15 and thesignal lamp 1? out of circuit. The armature switch of relay 19 acts to close, upon the'energization of relay 19, one gap in the circuit of a calling subscribers supervisory lamp 20. The armature switch of the supervisory relay 21 in normal position serves to complete the circuit for the supervisory lamp 20 but this armature switch is at- 1 tracted to-open a circuit of said supervisory lamp when the telephone bridge is established at the calling station due to the establishment of a circuit for the relay 21 traceable from the grounded battery 14, the upper winding of a relay 22, the -upper winding of relay 21, the tip of the answering plug 18, the tip spring of the engaged jack 1, both sides of the calling line,and the telephone bridge uniting the same, the sleeve spring of the engaged jack 1, the sleeve of the plug 18, the lower winding of In the embodiment of the inventioncircuit through called subscriber,

supervisory relay 21, to the lower grounded winding of relay 22 which is equal but differential with respect to the upper winding of relay 22. The operator will depress her listening key 23 to bring her telephone set 24 in bridge of the link connector strands of the employed link connector 2 whereby the operator will be enabled to inquire of the calling station the number of the desired line, and when this number has been told to the operator she will insert the connecting plug 25 companion to theanswering plug 18 in the jack 1 of the called line appearing at her position, assuming that such jack has tested idle, whereafter the operator will depress the ringing key 26 to bring the generator 27 in bridge of the called lineto operate the signal bell 12 at the called station. The line relay 15 and signal 17 are excluded from circuit with the called line by the operationof the cutoff relay 16 so that when the called subscriber responds the signal 17 will not be displayed. After the ringing key 26 has been depressed a suitable interval it is released to connect telephonically the plugs 18 and25 to enable the called subscriber to effect the performance of certain functions which will now be described.

When the telephone receiver at the called station is removed in response to the operatioiix'of the signal bell thereat a circuit is established which is traceable from the' grounded battery 14, the upper winding of the called supervisory relay 28, the upper strand of the employed link connector 2, the

uppermost armature switch of relay, 29 and its then engaged alternate contact (the relay 29 being, included in the cutoff relay circuit established by-the engagement of the heel of the connecting plug 25 and the thimble of the jack of the called line), the upper engaged pair of contacts of the ringing "key 26, the tip ofthe connecting plug 25, the tip line spring of the jack of the called line, both sides of the called line and bridge uniting the same, of the called line jack 1, connecting the telephone the sleeve spring the sleeve of the plug 25, the lower engaged pair of contacts of the ringing key 26, to the,

lower The called subscribers signal 30 is included in a circuit that hasv one gap closed by the middle armature switch of relay 29 when energized, the upper relay 28, when this latter relay is energized, opening the circuit of the lamp 30 and closing the circuit of this lamp when the relay 28 is deenergized all as is well understood by those skilled in the art. The lowermost armature switch of the supervisor-v relay 28, when attracted, upon response of the establishes a circuit traceable from the lowermost grounded armature switch of relay 29, the alternate conarmature switch of grounded winding of the relay 28.

tact of this relay, theactuated lower armature switch of relay 28 and its then engaged contact, the lowermost armature switch of relay 31 and its then engaged contact. the relay 32, to the grounded battery 17-1. The relay 82 is now energized to cause the two uppermost armature switches to open the top talking rands oi the employed link connector and the next two lowearmature switches to open the bottom talking strand of the employed link connector to prevent at this stage of the operation. telephonic connection' between' the calling and called stations. hhe lowermost armature switch of elay 32 now engages its alternate contact to establish a circuit traceable from the ground connected with this lowermost armatureswitch, said armature switch, the alternate contact thereof. the right hand armature switch of relay 3 and its then I fact, he armature switch oi renormal contact, the rotary nu side switch wiper ill) in its fir position, the interrupter 37 to the grounde battery 1a. The rotaryniagnet 35 now causes the step by step rotation of the wipers 3?. 235. ill). ll), H and 1-2 until the wiper -1 engages an ungrounded waiting contact. the wiper 41 moving over a bank of waiting contacts arch individual to a relay and its link eonnector :2, each relay gl()llll(lllli its waiting contact in the presence of this switch l1 at the lowermost armature switch of relay 32 when engaging; its normal contact. The wipers 37, 38, 3S), l0, ll and 42 are each pro vided with waiting contacts individual to diflercnt link connectors and similarly positioned waiting contacts of different switches 3 are in multiple connection. Vv'l'icn the wiper 4-]. thus engages an unggrounded contact the circuit fo the private magnet 43, which fas closed upon the initial operation ot the rotary magnet 35. is opcncd'whereupon this private magnet causes the side switch wipers 36.44 and 45 to step to their second and final positions, the wiper an in its second position opening the circuit of the rotary magnet 35 to enable the wipers 37 and 42 to remain at rest. \Vhen the side switch wiper 45 is in its second position it serves locally to establish a circuit for the relay illas will be apparent so that any other link connector 2 in which the relay 3'! is energized will employ the next succccdinp switch 3, since th 1 armature switch of the relay 3% will transfer the connection from the rot ry magnet 35 of the first switch 3 to the rotary magnet of-the-next switch 3 as will be apparent. The side switch wipe 45. in its second position, also establishes an apparent circuit for the relay 33 that is individual to the waiting contact now engaged by the wiper 42, this relay 33 being individual to the en'iploycd link connector 2. The relay 33 is employed to open the circuits that in clude the llGlll'litl and alternatecontacts of the lowermost armature switch of the associate relay 32 to prevent faulty operation.

When the switch has been brought into association with the employed link connecto' the rcpeate l and the talking device 5 are brought into service to enable the called party automatically to be asked the number of his line and to permit the called party to announce the number of his line to the calling party but prevent the calling party from talking to the called party. The talking device 5 may be of the usual phonographic character having a talking record that may serve to'say, for example, lVhat is your number please, this query being spoken through a phonographic horn 46 that speaks in the telephone transmitter-47. This telephone. transmitter is included in a closed local primary circuit having a primary or inducing coil in secondary relation with an induced or seconi'lary coil 18 included. in a circuit that traceable from one end of this coil 428 through a telephone receiver :49, condenser 50.. i

he third from the top or" the armature switches oi relay at?) and the contactthen engaged thereby. the nppcrn'iost wiper 37, and the contact then cn 'aged thereby, the uppermost. armature switch of relay 32 and its alternate contact, the intcrmcdiate armature switch of relay 5.1 and its then ongaged contact, the uppermost armature switch of relay 2!) and its alternate contact, the upper engaged pair of ringing" key contacts of the key 26, the tip of the connecting plug 25, both sides of the called line by way of the telephone bridge between these sides, the sleeve of the connecting plug, the lower engaged pair of ringing key contacts of the key 26, the lowern'icst armature switch of relay 51 and its engaged contact, the next to the bottom armature switch of relay 32 and its alternate contact, the waiting contact engaged by the wiper 38. the armature switch immediately above the relay l3, and its engaged contact, the condenser 52 to the coil The called subscriber thus hiars the question which is put by the talking device 5. The *alling subscriber hears the same question which is tclcphonically i1n pressed by the telephone receiver if) upon the telephone transmitter 53which is included in a 'clcscd local primary circuit having a primary winding in inducing relation to the sccomlary winding 54 that is included in circuit with the calling. line by a path traceable lrom the lower end of the winding 54, the uppermost armature switch of relay A l and its engaged contact. the wiper 3!) and its engaged contact, the next to the topanost armature switch of the relay 32 and its engaged alti'lrnato contact. both sides of the calling line by way'oi the telephone bridge uniting the same. the arnniture switch immediately below the winding of relay and station by means of the transmitter 53 and the induced coil 54, this latter coil being included in circuit with'the calling station by the path just traced. The calling sub- 'scriber cannot, at this stage of the operations, converse with the called subscriber because the transmitter 53 will not operate to impress voice currents upon the receiver 49. When the calling subscriber has heard the response of the called subscriber to the query put by the talking device 5, the calling subscriber will, in some manner, prepay or p'recharge himself with the desired connection to be used for a predetermined time.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the calling subscriber prepays for the connection and for a predetermined period during which such connection may continue, there being illustrated, by way of example, a coin receptacle 55 for receiving coins 56 which, during their passage to the receptacle, momentarily engage the contacts 57 momentarily to ground the calling line and thereby disturb the balance between the coils of the relay 22, the armature of this relay being thereupon momentarily attracted.

When the armature switch of relay 22 is momentarily attracted it establishesa cir 'cuit traceable from this armature switch which is grounded, the contact of this armature switch, the intermediate armature switch of relay 31 and its normal follow up contact, the winding of this relay, to the grounded battery 14. The relay 31 thereupon establishesa locking circuit for itself,

which is necessary owing to the short duration of the circuit established at'the armature switch of relay 22, which locking circuit is traceablej from the grounded battery 14, the winding of relay 31,.the intermediate armature switch of this relay, the alternate contact of this armature switch, the lowermost armature switch of relay 29 and "its alternate contact, to ground. The circuit of relay 32 is thereupon opened at the lowermost armature switch of relay 31, whereupon the four upper armature switches of the relay 32 are released to engage their normal contacts and establish the telephonic continuity of the talking strands uniting the plugs 18 and 25 whereupon'either subscriber may impress telephonic current upon the telephone receiver of the other subscriber during a period determined by the apparatus later to be described. The relay 56 ;is in parallel with the receiver 49 and was the associate relay 32 and-circuit for the re- 7 lay 58 is thereupon opened at the released armature switch of the relay 56 the private magnet 43 having gized, whereupon switch of the relay 58 establishes a circuit traceable from this armature switch which is grounded, the contact then engaged by this armature switch, the previously'closed otl' normal switch 59, the release magnet 60, to the grounded battery 14, this release magnet operating upon the various wipers of the employed switch 3 in restoring them to norma As has been described, the relay 31 was energized when the token 56 momentarily caused engagement between the contacts 57, the uppermost armature switch of the relay 31 then establishing a circuit traceable from ground through this armature switch, the

contact of this armature switch, the uppermost armature switch of relay 51 and its then engaged contact, the motor magnet 61, the interrupter 62, to the grounded battery 14. The motor magnet 61 will intermittently operate the ratchet wheel 62 that in turn will operate the gear wheel 63 whose shaft carries the wipers 64, 65. The wipers 64, 65 travel over banks. of waiting contacts individual thereto and which banks of waiting contacts are connected with other banks of waiting contacts over which the wipers66 and 67 are manually moved by the operator in unison. The interrupter 62 has a given rate of operation and causes a given rate of travel of the wipers 64 and 65. It requires given intervals of time for the wipers 64, 65 to pass from'contacts to contacts. For example, it may require a minute for each wiper 64, 65 to break engagement with one waiting contact and enter engagement with a succeeding waiting contact; The wipers 66 and 67 are grounded and are set by the operator to determine which of the waiting contacts of the wipers 64, 65 are to be grounded, the operator thereby determinin the period during whiclrthe wipers 64 an 65 may travel before they encounter grounded waiting contacts. I It may be assumed that it takes the wiper 64: three minutes to move from normal to the first of its iaitingz; contacts, four minutes to more to the second of its Waiting contacts, and five minutes to the third of its waiting contacts and that it takes the Wiper (35 three and one-qnarter minutes to move from normal to the first of its Waiting ccntacts. four and one-quarter minutes to move to the second 'oi its waiting; tncts 211111 five anil onc- Imrler minutes to move. to the third of its waiting; contacts, there being as man; waiting contacts in each set as may he desired to suit the intcrvais during which it nn; he desired to preserve connections hetwecn calling and called in Thus the Wiper 6-1 encounterg its W2 @111 contacts a quarter of :1 minute in advance of the engagement of the wiper 65 with it; waiting contacts; nngl when the wiper 6 cngages a \vaiti n not grounded through the wiper (35.3, a in cstahiisheri traceahle from the grounded Win01 6%, the e tact to which the opciwitor has hrclr t we Winer G6. the Waiting contact in connection with this contact and pertaining to the (FL in engaging its the ion c Waiting Contact thus groundcfh intermediate armature switch of the rela (38 anrl its normal follow-up contact, io the groumlwl llattcrv i l A locking circuit is thereupon established i 1 the relay 68 tracealile fr m the oattery i i the Wind.- inn' of relav 38. inc 1i intermediate armature Switch of this rci in the alternate contact of this armature enitcln the armature switch f rclav (3? anti its engaged contact. to ground. The two uppermost nrmature switches of rclav non eng their contacts which are eonncclcfll each with )JPOFIL'Q talking eirlcs oi the link connector. The talking ilcvice f3 RUQIilG the Warninq through its horn 7:) into :1 iransinitter 'i'l. that incluclci'l in a local primary circuit wh sc priniarv coil i in inductive relation with a secrmlarr coil having as its minals the contacts of the two (innermost :11 mature snvilrhos oi the rczw 68 that were preriz'mslv c'nmccljwl with the talking; satramls oi the employed link connrctor \vhcrclw the. voi n CXHILJCQ impressed by the, talking: illf-JlCC (i nrc inroreseicd upon will telephone iince. 'ihc nati of the Warning nnw he. for c: nrolc. Yo r time ie uln You will he cntol in a 'leav e! i i motor T3 rotates (iiFlIr Ti and. 77:

angularlv (molar-ml contact ling: T7 \rlliwh are noirsiinultaneousl71 i I lllllHlll 1. '79.: When the linger 76 engages ile hrueli 78 :1 circuit is estahliehwl, from the Q'l'OlHllllll hatlerv l4. through the finger 76 the lrrush 78, the lower armature switch "of relay O and its normal fvllowaw contactv the winding oi relay 80. the lowermost arfjature switch of rclav (3H aml ltS then engaged contact, to ground. The locking circuit is thereupon established for the relay 8O traceable from the grounded battery 14, the alternate contact of the lower armature switch ct relay 80, said armature switch, the Winding of relay 80, t the lowermost armature switch of relay 68. The upper armature switch of relay 8O establishes circuit traceable from this armature switch which is grounded, through the relay 69, the brush. Y9, the finger 77 when engaging the brush. to the grounded batwhen the relay' 69 is energized c engagement of the finger 7'? with .X "a e locking circuit for the relay 3c open so that the talking device 6 is removed from association with the c' nected lines whereby' the connectcrlsuh: ibers may, during aCiClGci period c pursue their conversation. nninter uptetlly. 1

cruel; er h iges its grouncied Waiting; contact a quarter of a minute after the brush 64% i {reel grounded Waiting contoct the period. oi? n"? ce during wlii .n'bscrihers 12 tall; whereunon the is traceable iroi'nthe gzounclei'l wi e contact to which the operator v .7 the "Wiper (3?, the waiting co,

'iion with this eoniact and per wine-r the Wiper 65 when itingr contact thus ,cgrouncleii. relav 3f 1 to the grouncimfl upon this relay its armature switches, the switches thcrennon lean o break the talking v liniconnector. we noe notor magnet 81 to allow to remain at H's are through conversw LUYO their receivers upon 5 cansnig; the display of the suoscr'i iiion they Wiil i 1 their SWitCll hook the tor W it: the relay 2 momentarily to establish :4 circuit through the sluggishly opcratinc; r' lav whose armature switch closes the circuit throrg'h the release magnet 81 to bring the wipers 3i an l to normal. The

Wiper in its normal position having opened the circuit of relay 51, the talking; (-ontinuitv f the employed link councctor 2 is reestablished at the two lower armature switches of the relay 5i and a new period onals 2 0 and 30 e herenpon the ope;

during which the subscribers may speak is entered upon. If the information is conveyed to the operator that an extension of the period is desired the operator will depress the key 84 to energize the release magnet 81 to restore the wipers 64 and 65 whereupon connection is reestablished at the relay 51. The operator will then, by means of the device 8, simultaneously adjust the wipers 66, 67 to engage those waiting contacts that Will mark the termination of the extended period.

The drawings illustrate a manual exchange employing link connectors having answering and connecting plugs for extending calling lines into connection with called lines but I do not limit myself to the manual extension of calling lines nor to the eniployment of operators for-extending calling lines into connection with called lines.

While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction and circuit arrangement shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:-

1. A telephone exchange system including telephone, lines extending from substations to an'exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers'of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephon lines; and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions.

2. A telephone exchange system including telephone-lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re operation at the terminations of theperiod extensions.

3. Aftelephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; and subscriber controlled and operator controlled'means for extending the .periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions.

4. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; and subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection'and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions.

'5. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; and subscriber and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic conuection and placing said an.- nouncer incondition for re-operation at the terminations ofthe period extensions.

6. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periodsof service; timingunechanism for timely bringing the announcer. into operative association with talking "telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of -alling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; and subscriber and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection andplacing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions.

7. A telephone exchangesystem including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing inechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber controlled means for ex-' tending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for till re-operation at the terminations of the to an exchange; means for uniting lines-in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predeter mined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with ,alking telephone line means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonieally connected; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for ice-operation at the terminations the period extensions; and operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for rte-operation at the terminations of the period extensions.

9. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending f m substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminatiims of predetermined periods of service t ming mechanisn'i for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; and operator controlled means for variably extendingthe periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for room-ration at the terminatious of the period extensions.

. 10 A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting;- lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers oi the terminations of predetermined period of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing; the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting;- said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscrilr ers when telephonica'lly connected: and operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing; said annoumvr in condition for reoperation at the terminations of the period extensions.

11. it telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; cuto'll mechanism for breaking telephonic connections between subscribers stations at the conclusion of predetermined periods. timing mechanism for timely bringing the cutotl mechanism into operative association with established circuits; and

operator controlled means for delaying the operation of the cutoff mechanism to extend mechanism to extend the periods of telephonic connections between stations iii. A telephone exchange including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; anannouncer for informing subscribers of th terr iations of predetermined periods service; timing mechanism vtor tii ely bringing the an nouncer into operative association with talking telephone lines; and cutoil mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

ii. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending roin substations to an exchan mmeans for uniting lines in conversation; announcer for interns ing subscribers of the-terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into .i'iperative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said tiin ing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment oi calling and called subscribers when telcphonically connected; and cutoll' mechanism for breaking; est-ab lislied connections nought into association with connected lines subsequei'itly to the association oi" the announcer with connect-ed lines.

15. Si telephone exchange system includ ing telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for in forming subscribers of the terminations ct undetermined periods of service; timing nieclianisn'i for timely bringing the an nouncer into operative association with talking telephone lines; operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extension; and cutotl' mecl'lanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

16. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timelv bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; operator controlled means for ex-. tending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association wit-h connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer withfconnected lines.

17 A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines inconversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation atthe terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

18. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in. conversation; an announcer for informing s'ubs'icribersof the termination of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated. by equipment of-calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in-condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected ines subsequently to the association ot' the announcer with connected lines.

1!). A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for in forming subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing forming subscribers of the terminations of i predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone" lines; means for setting said timing mechanism-into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; subscriber and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for reoperation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

21. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substationsto an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined. periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations ofthe period extensions; operator controlled means for variably extendingthe periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for reoperation at the term nations of the period extensions; and cutojt mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the associationof the announcer with -connected lines.

22. A telephone exchan e system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for. inform ng subscribers of the terminat ons of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting saidtiming mechanism into operation 51116.,1'30

' mechanism jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for reoperation at the terminations of the period extensions; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions;

and cutofi' mechanism for breaking estab-' flished connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

23. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with tall:- ing telephone lines; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic conn tion and placing said announcer in condition for re'operation at the.terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections'brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

24. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of theterminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with tallo ing telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically conn'ected; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mecha nism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of? the announcer with connected line 25. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods or" service; timing for timely bringing the announcer into operative association YZltl} talking telephone lines; operator controlled means for extending the periods of telepredetermined periods phonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the I terminations of the period extensions; cutoii? mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association With connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines; and 0porator controlled. means for also delaying the operation of the cutoff mechanism to break telephonic connections subsequent to the re-- neWed operations of the announcer.

A; telephone exchange syste n including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of 7 service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; .means for setting said timing mechanism into operation andjointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the ten iinations of the period extensions; cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines; and operator controlled means for,

also delaying the operation of the cutofi' mechanism to break telephonic connections subsequent to the renewed operations of the announcer.

27. A telenhone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the an-- nouncer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber controlled means for-extending the periods of telephonic connection'aud placing said announcer in condition for reoperation at the minations of the period extensions; cutoti mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines; and

nerator controlled means for also delaying for-tirnely bringing the anannouncer.

29. A telephone exchange system includ ing telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and plac ng said announcer in condition for re-operat on at the terminations of the period extensions; cutofl mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines; and operator controlled means for also delaying the operation of the cutoff mechanism to break telephonic connections subsequent to the renewed operationsofthe announcer.

30. A telephone exchange'system 1ncluding telephone lines extending fromsubstations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of serylce; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting sald timing mechanism into operation and jpintly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; subscriber and operator controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for reoperation at the terminations of the period extensions; cutofi mechan sm for breaking established connect1ons brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines; and operator controlled vmeans for also delaying the operation of the cutofi' mechanism to break telephonic connections subsequent to the re I neWed operations of the announcer.

31. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predeter-, mined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cut-01f mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

32. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations-of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by eqkiliipment of calling and called subscribers W on telephonically connected; subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the perlod extensions;

operator controlled means for variably extending'the periods of telephonicconnection and placing said announcer incondition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutoff mechanism for breaking established connections brought into association With connected lines subse-- quently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.

, 33. A telephone exchange system includ ing telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for inform;

ing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with talking telephone lines; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions; and cutofi' mechanism for breaking established connec tions brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer With connected lines.

34. A. telephone exchange system includ-' ing telephone lines extending from substa tions to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative associationwith talking telephone lines; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonieally connected; operator controlled means for variably extending the periods of telephonic connection and placing said announcer in condition for re-operation at the terminations of the period extensions;

and cutofi mechanism for breaking established'connections brought into association with connected lines subsequently to the association of the announcer with connected lines.v I

35. A telephone exchange system including telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mech-.

anism for timely bringing the announcer into operative associat on wlth telephone lines while 1n telephonic connection; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation and jointly operated by equipment of calling and called subscribers when telephonically connected; and subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection.

36. A telephone exchange systemincludin g telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange; means for uniting lines in conversation; an announcer for informing subscribers of the terminations of predetermined periods of service; timing mechanism for timely bringing the announcer into operative association with telephone lines While in telephonic connection; means for setting said timing mechanism into operation; and subscriber controlled means for extending the periods of telephonic connection.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this thirty-first day of March,

MORTON L. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

G. L. CRAGG,

E. L. VVHITE. 

